Gynaecology Services
Sexual Health
The only way to know if you have an STI is through testing. Many STIs do not cause any symptoms, making regular testing essential. Book your test today at Align Family Health to ensure your health and peace of mind.
Who needs an STI test?
At Align Family Health, anyone who is sexually active should get regular STI tests, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, or relationship status.
How often you test depends on your sexual activity and other health risk factors. Discuss your risk with your healthcare professional.
You should consider having an STI test if you:
- Had unprotected sex
- Changed sexual partners
- Think the condom broke or slipped off during sex
- Are you pregnant or planning a pregnancy
You should also have an STI test if you or your sexual partner:
- Have any symptoms (though most STIs don’t show symptoms)
- Had an STI or a history of an STI in the past 12 months
For more information on who needs to get tested for STIs, visit healthdirect or talk to your healthcare professional at Align Family Health.
What's involved
Getting Tested for STIs at Align Family Health
Getting tested for STIs at Align Family Health is quick and easy. Your healthcare professional will ask questions to assess your risk and determine which tests you need. Most tests are done through a simple urine or blood sample, and sometimes a self-administered swab sample is required.
General STI Tests Include:
- Syphilis Screening
- HIV Screening
Costs and Billing:
The cost of testing depends on the specific tests and where you go. Many sexual health clinics offer free or low-cost tests. You may need to pay to see a healthcare professional, but you might be bulk-billed if you have a Medicare card. The Medicare Urgent Care Clinics provide bulk-billed STI care.
Test Results and Follow-Up:
- Allow up to a few days for test results.
- Your healthcare professional will contact you to discuss the results and treatment options if necessary.
- Some STIs require re-testing as part of the treatment process; your healthcare professional will advise you on this.
Confidentiality:
The results of your STI tests are confidential. However, if diagnosed with a notifiable STI, your healthcare professional may need to report it to the local public health authority. Your information is protected by privacy legislation, and any identifying information is removed before wider reporting. If this concerns you, discuss it with your healthcare professional.
How often you should get checked?
Regular Sexual Health Check-Ups at Align Family Health
At Align Family Health, we recommend that anyone sexually active have regular sexual health check-ups and get an STI test every 6 to 12 months, even if you are in a long-term relationship and use condoms. You should also be tested if you have a new sexual partner, and more frequently if you have multiple sexual partners.
Specific Recommendations:
Sexually active men who have sex with men should have a sexual health check-up every 3 months. It is recommended to test for gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV every 12 months.
Regular testing can prevent serious long-term health complications. Talk to your healthcare professional at Align Family Health to schedule your check-up and stay on top of your sexual health.
Where to get a test
